ABSTRACT
'This is a strategy for a kind of development that provides real improvements in the quality of human life and at the same time conserves the vitality and diversity of the Earth. The goal is development that will be sustainable. Today it may seem visionary. but it is attainable. To more and more people it also appears our only rational option.' – from Chapter 1 in 1980, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wide Fund for Nature, the world's three most powerful organizations dedicated to preventing environmental catastrophe, published the World Conservation Strategy.
It stressed the interdependence of conservation and development, it gave currency to the idea of sustainable development and it made the point that unless the vitality and productivity of the planet are safeguarded, the future for humanity is at risk. Its impact was immediate and worldwide.
Now, ten years later, the same three organizations have formulated a new strategy for the 19905. Caring for the Earth builds on all that has been learned in the last decade about the complexity of the problems and shows how radical and far-reaching are the actions and objectives needed to meet them. Nothing less than a new ethic is required, based on affirming the community of life and cherishing its diversity – an ethic which has to be reflected in our personal attitudes and the organization of our communities as much as in wider policies. Public participation is essential for the success of the strategy, which is addressed to individuals and citizens' groups as well as to governments - whatever their systems. Adopting it will not be easy, but it does provide the agenda for immediate action. Originally published in 1991
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|80 pages
The Principles of a Sustainable Society
chapter 1|5 pages
Building a sustainable society
chapter 2|5 pages
Respecting and caring for the community of life
chapter 3|9 pages
Improving the quality of human life
chapter 4|16 pages
Conserving the Earth's vitality and diversity
chapter 5|9 pages
Keeping within the Earth's carrying capacity
chapter 6|5 pages
Changing personal attitudes and practices
chapter 7|7 pages
Enabling communities to care for their own environments
chapter 9|10 pages
Creating a global alliance
part 2|76 pages
Additional Actions for Sustainable Living
chapter 10|7 pages
Energy
chapter 11|8 pages
Business, industry and commerce
chapter 12|6 pages
Human settlements
chapter 13|12 pages
Farm and range lands
chapter 14|15 pages
Forest lands
chapter 15|13 pages
Fresh waters
chapter 16|13 pages
Oceans and coastal areas
part 3|22 pages
Implementation and Follow-up